Jim Peterson, a self-taught, gifted
and prolific programmer in both TI Basic and Extended Basic, authored
hundreds of programs during the early years of the TI-99/4A. Many will
remember reading his 43 Tips from the Tigercub, which appeared in user
group newsletters worldwide. Also remembered, were his advertisements
for Tigercub Software that regularly appeared in MICROpendium magazine
for the TI-99/4A. His interest in programming covered many areas
including games, utilities (Especially those for controlling the
printer.) and music. Jim wrote special musical applications for Mike
Maksimik's MIDI Master 99. He was particularly fascinated by
mind-bogglers and brain games. Many of which he produced and sold. One
of his most notable products was the 3-disk set of Nuts and Bolts.
These were valuable utility routines, still used by many TI’ers, which
could be merged with Extended Basic programs.

In addition to his own programming
efforts, Jim also collected many programs written by others. Which he
classified by subject and cataloged. Jim offered this collection to the
TI community at nominal copying costs after obtaining permission from
the original authors. This 600-disk collection continues to be a very
valuable resource for the TI community.

Jim was an active participant in and
supporter of the Central Ohio Ninety Niners (C.O.N.N.I.) user group. He
often discussed programming options and news from the TI world with the
members. Jim corresponded extensively with other programmers and user
groups as well as exchanging newsletters with many of the user groups.
He was always ready to teach a class, provide a demo, or in any way
possible be of help to the group. In this, Jim exemplified the values
of sharing and participation in the TI community.

Jim, born in 1924 in northern
Minnesota, served with the U.S. Occupation Army in Japan at the
conclusion of World War II. After being awarded an honorable discharge,
Jim continued his service as a civilian employee of the U.S. Army in
Japan between 1946 and 1959, living in Tokyo. Jim returned to the
United States, and was employed by the U.S. Civil Service in Minnesota
and in Ohio from which he eventually retired. James Warren Peterson
died on the morning of January 12, 1994.

Although Jim was not a member of the
TI-Chips user group, in February of 1996 the TI-Chips voted unanimously
to sponsor the Jim Peterson Achievement Awards
in his honor. These annual awards are presented in memory of Jim’s
dedication and service to TI99ers everywhere.